Alphabet Historic District building design lauded

A new mixed-use building planned at the corner of Northwest 23rd Avenue and Glisan Street may have five residential units above 925 square feet of retail space. (Allied Works Architecture)

Plans for a new four-story mixed-use building in Portland’s Alphabet Historic District received praise at a Historic Landmarks Commission design advice hearing on Monday.

The Allied Works Architecture design of a building at the corner of Northwest 23rd Avenue and Glisan Street would have five residential units above 925 square feet of ground-floor retail space and eight long-term bike parking spaces.

The 1,789-square-foot site has sat vacant since a 2016 gas explosion destroyed the historic Alfred C. F. Burkhardt House.

“I think the design is amazing,” Commissioner Wendy Chung said. “It really does draw from the historic features of the neighborhood. Even though it’s clearly a modern building, it’s a perfect example of something that’s compatible but modern.”

Allied Works Architecture’s Rebecca Wood said the team was inspired by the simple masonry in the district. The project by R&A Development would feature glazed porcelain tile and painted vertical metal fins, custom twisted painted metal ornamental balconies, a painted metal canopy, painted aluminum-clad wood windows and French doors. They are also proposing to replace three trees that were destroyed in the explosion.

“I really appreciate your efforts in looking at the examples in the district and putting a modern spin on it,” Commissioner Annie Mahoney said. “Overall I think it’s a wonderful design.”

Commissioner Matthew Roman wondered if the residential windows without balconies would be too tall to fit well in the neighborhood, but others said they believed the windows would provide a nice contrast.

The proposal doesn’t request any modifications to code, which commissioners noted and appreciated. They praised the simple and clean look of the building – the balconies would be flush with the exterior walls and the building’s height would be the same as the adjacent structure.

Dan Koch of Allied Works Architecture said the team presented the proposal to the Northwest District Association’s planning committee, which liked the design.

At 45 feet tall, the building would be the maximum height allowed in the district. In a letter to commissioners, the neighborhood association stated it would like to see an increase in the building’s height of three to five feet in order to raise the level of the ground-floor retail entry to match the level of the sidewalk.

Commissioners said they would support the modification. However, Koch said the additional height would be a detriment to the overall design of the building.

“We were very intentional in trying to meet the design guidelines,” he said. “I appreciate your reasonable and thoughtful input. Now we will take that and make this better.”

Commissioners said they hope the building’s design will be an inspiration to others.

“The design and attention to detail is well appreciated,” Commission Chairman Kirk Ranzetta said. “We look forward to seeing the next iteration.”